• It's a rare day indeed when we find ourselves in agreement with the Daily Mail, but we did so in the case of Peter Tatchell. Last year, having spent years vilifying the human rights activist and all his works, the paper conceded that he was more good than bad and labelled him, for sheer staying power if nothing else, a national treasure. We agree. Most agree. And thus there was widespread surprise to see that there was no mention at all of Tatchell on the Independent on Sunday's Pink List 2011. It is, after all, a list of the "101 most influential gay and lesbian people in Britain today". A strange omission. True, there was no place for Brian Paddick, or the author Sarah Waters, but with Tatchell having claimed seventh place last year, his absence took some explaining. And so we asked around, not least because he was none the wiser, and we discovered that a deliberate decision was taken by the judges to leave him off the list. Instead he was to be given the accolade – along with Stephen Fry and Sandi Toksvig – of "national treasure". But then something went wrong, something distinctly low-tech; the Post-it note with his name was shuffled into an incorrect pile and nobody noticed until it was too late. Oh well. "I am not much fussed," Tatchell says, when we explain. "These lists are fairly arbitrary, and I am glad for those unsung gay people who have been recognised." And, unlike them, he has that glowing accolade from the Mail.

• When the possibilities include cock-up or conspiracy, the safest bet is usually cock-up. We like to think that's what happened in Scotland last year, when the Lothian and Borders police issued a statement indicating that activists at the Climate Camp protest had gone way too far by pouring oil on to roads leading to Edinburgh. "Two arterial routes to Edinburgh were badly affected after a substance similar to diesel or vegetable oil was poured on to the carriageway," the force said in a statement. The public was outraged, the protesters puzzled. It's nothing we have done, they said. Tell us more about this incident, they asked the police, smelling an oily rat. Only now, after several freedom of information requests, has information been forthcoming. The test results finally dragged into the public domain show that, in fact, the substance on the road was "lubricating or hydraulic oil". Of the kind that regularly leaks from vehicles. The police inquiry has quietly been shelved as have all other investigations into allegations levelled at the climate camp. A leaky sump, perhaps? Who would have thought of that?

• You never know, cock-up or conspiracy? What was the Daily Mail trying to do, for instance, when it castigated the Tricycle Theatre in north-west London for writing to prison inmates seeking their experiences for a piece of political theatre about the summer riots? "Fury as theatre company asks jailed rioters to 'give their side of the story'," yelled the paper, close to apoplexy. Hard to be sure what was intended. But we know what was the result. It prompted a mad rush at the box office for tickets.

• This one: definite conspiracy. How else can one describe the early day motion calling for a full, independent inquiry into "Mr Tony Blair's financial engagement with the late Colonel Gaddafi"? It is proposed by rightwing Tory Daniel Kawczynski, and sponsored by Tory grandee Peter Bottomley, Plaid Cymru leader Elfyn Llwyd, Democratic Unionist Jim Shannon, and Labour lefty Jeremy Corbyn. Clearly, this is a cross-party, whole-hearted, clear-eyed, synchronised attempt to embarrass the former prime minister and lay bare his business dealings for the outrage/curiosity of all who wish him ill. Not necessarily a bad thing.

• Finally, this from the diary jobcentre. Situation vacant: Bright, resourceful PR person wanted to help venerable institution weather raging storm, internal strife, a media onslaught, and to rid the place of visitors who have outstayed their welcome. "Commitment, flexibility, initiative and a good sense of humour are essential," for all who would manage work in press and communications at St Paul's Cathedral. Apply by Thursday lunchtime . Never a dull moment. Good luck and Godspeed.